Spikemoss: The Ancient Plant That’s Making Itself at Home in Hawaiian Gardens
If you’ve ever wandered through a shaded Hawaiian garden and noticed what looks like delicate, prehistoric moss carpeting the ground, you might have encountered spikemoss (Selaginella umbrosa). This fascinating little plant isn’t actually a moss at all – it’s something much more ancient and intriguing!
What Exactly Is Spikemoss?
Despite its name, spikemoss belongs to a group of plants called lycopods, which are actually more closely related to ferns than to true mosses. Think of it as a living fossil – these plants have been around since before the dinosaurs! Selaginella umbrosa is technically classified as a forb, meaning it’s a non-woody plant that lacks significant thickening growth above ground.
This perennial plant creates beautiful, delicate carpets with its tiny, scale-like leaves that give it that distinctive moss-like appearance. It’s one of nature’s clever mimics, looking soft and cushiony while being structurally quite different from actual moss.
Where You’ll Find This Green Carpet
Spikemoss isn’t originally from Hawaii – it’s a non-native species that has successfully established itself across the islands. It reproduces naturally without human intervention and has become a persistent part of Hawaii’s introduced flora.
Is Spikemoss Beneficial in Your Garden?
From a gardening perspective, spikemoss can offer some nice benefits:
- Creates attractive ground cover in shaded areas
- Requires minimal maintenance once established
- Adds textural interest with its fine, delicate foliage
- Thrives in areas where other plants might struggle
However, as a non-native species, it’s worth considering native Hawaiian alternatives that could provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems. Native ground covers like certain Hawaiian ferns or indigenous sedges might be better choices for environmentally conscious gardeners.
How to Identify Spikemoss
Spotting spikemoss is fairly straightforward once you know what to look for:
- Low-growing, carpet-like growth pattern
- Tiny, overlapping scale-like leaves arranged in neat rows
- Moss-like appearance but with more structured, geometric leaf patterns
- Typically found in moist, shaded locations
- Usually grows in upland areas rather than wetlands (though it can tolerate some moisture)
The Growing Conditions It Loves
If you’re curious about where spikemoss thrives, it generally prefers:
- Shaded or partially shaded locations
- Moist but well-draining soil
- Protection from strong winds
- Stable temperatures typical of Hawaii’s tropical climate
A Word About Wildlife Benefits
While spikemoss creates habitat and ground cover, its wildlife benefits are likely limited compared to native Hawaiian plants. Since it reproduces via spores rather than flowers, it doesn’t provide nectar for pollinators like native flowering plants would.
The Bottom Line
Spikemoss is an interesting example of how ancient plant forms can adapt to new environments. While it’s not problematic as an invasive species, gardeners interested in supporting native Hawaiian ecosystems might want to explore indigenous alternatives that provide similar aesthetic benefits while supporting local wildlife.
If you do encounter spikemoss in your garden, you can appreciate it as a living connection to Earth’s ancient past – just remember that sometimes the most environmentally friendly choice is to celebrate the native plants that naturally belong in your slice of paradise.
